Posts tagged “Campaign”

YOUR LAME DUCK CONGRESS AT WORK: The Simpson-Bowles deficit commission fails to reach consensus for immediate consideration by Congress but inches closer to a bipartisan solution; Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) raised the heat against “tax cuts for millionaires” as the Senate considers extending Bush era tax cuts, Pelosi restates her claim that unemployment benefits creates jobs; Military chiefs support repeal and a delay of DADT.

BREAD AND CIRCUSES: Sens. Tom Harkin and Michael Enzi talking to reporters after the Senate bill passed legislation that would grant the F.D.A. new powers to recall tainted foods, increase inspections, demand accountability from food companies and oversee farming.

DON”T ASK, DON”T TELL, DON”T DECIDE: Appearing before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing reviewing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, Air Force chief of staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, 2nd from left, and Marine Commandant Gen. Jim Amos, 3rd from left, said they do not recommend Congress change the law to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Sen. Joe Lieberman talks to reporters after the hearing. In the background, third from left, is former Air Force Maj. Mike Almy, who was discharged for being gay.

REINING IN TAX CUTS: Senator Charles Schumer looks over to a sign critical of the Republican Tax cut plan during a press conference at the US Capitol. With him are Democratic Sens. (l-r); Claire McCaskill and Dianne Feinstein. On Saturday the Senate rejected Schumer’s proposal to end tax breaks only on income exceeding $1 million.

RAINING ON COAL PROTEST: Lacking a demonstration permit that would have allowed them to turn their shelter in an upright position, Sierra Club members from Michigan State University braved inclimate weather in a park outside the Senate Russell Building on Capitol Hill. The organization is urging the United States to “move beyond dirty coal”.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid leaving his office at the US Capitol.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaking at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC. On the right is his wife, former Secretary Elaine Chao and former Attorney General and Counselor to President Ronald Reagan.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi will continue to lead House Democrats as Minority Leader. Rep. James Clyburn and Rep. Steny Hoyer will serve as Assistant Leaders.

Representative John Boehner of Ohio was, as expected, picked as the new majority’s candidate for Speaker of the House.

Grab a second cup of coffee, pull out the New York Times Sunday magazine from the inserts (you are a subscriber?) and read Peter Baker’s insightful piece “The Education of a President” with nice photographs by Ashley Gilbertson. Baker writes:

“But it is possible to win the inside game and lose the outside game. In their darkest moments, White House aides wonder aloud whether it is even possible for a modern president to succeed, no matter how many bills he signs. Everything seems to conspire against the idea: an implacable opposition with little if any real interest in collaboration, a news media saturated with triviality and conflict, a culture that demands solutions yesterday, a societal cynicism that holds leadership in low regard. Some White House aides who were ready to carve a new spot on Mount Rushmore for their boss two years ago privately concede now that he cannot be another Abraham Lincoln after all. In this environment, they have increasingly concluded, it may be that every modern president is going to be, at best, average.” The rest is HERE: